‘What does that mean?’: Trump caught off guard on AUKUS deal
- Replies 78
International defence agreements are often carefully negotiated and strategically significant, shaping the future of global alliances.
But what happens when a major pact comes under unexpected scrutiny?
A recent exchange at the White House has reignited discussions about one of Australia's most significant military agreements.
US President Donald Trump appeared caught off guard when asked about AUKUS, the $577.7 billion defence pact between Australia, the UK, and the US.
During a White House meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, a British reporter questioned Trump on whether AUKUS would be part of their discussions.
‘What does that mean?’ he responded, seemingly unfamiliar with the term.
After the reporter clarified that AUKUS was a trilateral defence technology partnership, Trump acknowledged it was on the agenda.
‘We’ll be discussing that. We have another great relationship, and you have too, with Australia,’ he said.
‘Yeah, we’ve had a very good relationship with Australia.’
Despite the confusion, the deal had been regarded as a landmark agreement in US-Australia relations.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described it as a ‘new chapter’ and the ‘biggest single investment in Australia’s defence capability in our history’.
The agreement, set to cost between $420.7 billion and $577.7 billion over 30 years, covered advancements in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and hypersonic missile technology.
Australia committed nearly $8.04 billion to bolster the US submarine industry in exchange for the purchase of several Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines.
Though AUKUS was signed under Joe Biden’s administration, many had expected its significance to ensure strong support from Trump.
Earlier this month, Australia confirmed its first 1.26 billion payment under the deal.
US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth stated that Trump was both ‘very aware’ and supportive of the agreement.
In a recent phone call, Albanese raised AUKUS while advocating for Australia’s exemption from Trump’s proposed 25 per cent tariff on aluminium and steel exports.
Following the call, Albanese told the press the conversation had been ‘constructive’.
‘The relationship is in good shape,’ he said.
When pressed on Trump’s views, Albanese remained guarded.
‘Well, quite clearly I’ve indicated there’s very positive support for the AUKUS relationship’
‘I have no intention of speaking on behalf of President Trump. That is up to him.’
‘But quite clearly, I’ve indicated there’s strong bipartisan support for AUKUS in Australia and in the United States.’
Employment Minister Murray Watt dismissed concerns over Trump’s unfamiliarity with the acronym.
‘I wouldn’t make too much about a president with a very full plate not remembering one acronym. I think all of us go through that sort of thing at different times,’ he said.
‘You’ll see there that he was able to say very quickly about the strength of the relationship with Australia and the fact that AUKUS will be something he’ll be discussing with the British prime minister.’
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton echoed this sentiment, reaffirming the strength of the alliance.
‘Not everyone you know gets the acronyms, and all the rest of it, but there’s no doubt in my mind that the president strongly supports the alliance between our three countries and strongly supports AUKUS,’ he shared.
‘He stated that previously and the submarine deal…will underpin the national security of our country for the next century.’
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Richard Marles pointed to recent Chinese military activity as further justification for the deal.
A live-fire drill by three Chinese warships off Australia’s south-east coast demonstrated the importance of investing in advanced defence capabilities, he said.
‘We don’t know whether there is the presence of a submarine and that in part speaks to the nature of submarines,’ Marles said.
‘That’s why submarines matter.’
‘That’s why we’re investing heavily in our long‑range submarines.’
Unlike Australia’s current diesel-powered fleet, Virginia-class nuclear submarines could travel further and operate undetected in deeper waters.
Watch the full report below.
With Trump's initial reaction making headlines, what impact do you think this will have on AUKUS moving forward?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
But what happens when a major pact comes under unexpected scrutiny?
A recent exchange at the White House has reignited discussions about one of Australia's most significant military agreements.
US President Donald Trump appeared caught off guard when asked about AUKUS, the $577.7 billion defence pact between Australia, the UK, and the US.
During a White House meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, a British reporter questioned Trump on whether AUKUS would be part of their discussions.
‘What does that mean?’ he responded, seemingly unfamiliar with the term.
After the reporter clarified that AUKUS was a trilateral defence technology partnership, Trump acknowledged it was on the agenda.
‘We’ll be discussing that. We have another great relationship, and you have too, with Australia,’ he said.
‘Yeah, we’ve had a very good relationship with Australia.’
Despite the confusion, the deal had been regarded as a landmark agreement in US-Australia relations.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described it as a ‘new chapter’ and the ‘biggest single investment in Australia’s defence capability in our history’.
The agreement, set to cost between $420.7 billion and $577.7 billion over 30 years, covered advancements in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and hypersonic missile technology.
Australia committed nearly $8.04 billion to bolster the US submarine industry in exchange for the purchase of several Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines.
Though AUKUS was signed under Joe Biden’s administration, many had expected its significance to ensure strong support from Trump.
Earlier this month, Australia confirmed its first 1.26 billion payment under the deal.
US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth stated that Trump was both ‘very aware’ and supportive of the agreement.
In a recent phone call, Albanese raised AUKUS while advocating for Australia’s exemption from Trump’s proposed 25 per cent tariff on aluminium and steel exports.
Following the call, Albanese told the press the conversation had been ‘constructive’.
‘The relationship is in good shape,’ he said.
When pressed on Trump’s views, Albanese remained guarded.
‘Well, quite clearly I’ve indicated there’s very positive support for the AUKUS relationship’
‘I have no intention of speaking on behalf of President Trump. That is up to him.’
‘But quite clearly, I’ve indicated there’s strong bipartisan support for AUKUS in Australia and in the United States.’
Employment Minister Murray Watt dismissed concerns over Trump’s unfamiliarity with the acronym.
‘I wouldn’t make too much about a president with a very full plate not remembering one acronym. I think all of us go through that sort of thing at different times,’ he said.
‘You’ll see there that he was able to say very quickly about the strength of the relationship with Australia and the fact that AUKUS will be something he’ll be discussing with the British prime minister.’
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton echoed this sentiment, reaffirming the strength of the alliance.
‘Not everyone you know gets the acronyms, and all the rest of it, but there’s no doubt in my mind that the president strongly supports the alliance between our three countries and strongly supports AUKUS,’ he shared.
‘He stated that previously and the submarine deal…will underpin the national security of our country for the next century.’
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Richard Marles pointed to recent Chinese military activity as further justification for the deal.
A live-fire drill by three Chinese warships off Australia’s south-east coast demonstrated the importance of investing in advanced defence capabilities, he said.
‘We don’t know whether there is the presence of a submarine and that in part speaks to the nature of submarines,’ Marles said.
‘That’s why submarines matter.’
‘That’s why we’re investing heavily in our long‑range submarines.’
Unlike Australia’s current diesel-powered fleet, Virginia-class nuclear submarines could travel further and operate undetected in deeper waters.
Watch the full report below.
With Trump's initial reaction making headlines, what impact do you think this will have on AUKUS moving forward?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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